East Union’s Jake Danhoff turns his defender around and goes up for a layup during Thursday’s 50-36 victory at Oakdale.

IKE DODSON/Special to the Bulletin

OAKDALE — Robbie Gleockler beat the shot clock buzzer with a thrilling trey well beyond the three-point arc to spark an 11-2 run in the final minute and 40 seconds as East Union rallied to batter host Oakdale High 50-36 on Thursday.

East Union led by just one point at the half and trailed seven minutes into the third quarter, but erupted with late charges in both of the final periods to steal a Valley Oak League game where both teams badly needed a win.

East Union (13-3 overall) improved to 2-2 in conference play while Oakdale (6-11) slipped to 0-4.

“Anytime you win on the road in the VOL it’s big,” East Union coach Brett Lewis said. “We needed a win right now.

“One and two wasn’t looking to well.”

Gleockler also scored the final point on technical foul free throws after a clubbing swipe from Oakdale’s Spencer’s Thomas with two seconds remaining. Gloeckler ended with 10 points while Jake Danhoff nabbed a game-high 14 and Jordan Kron finished with 13. Aaron Ramos scored nine for the Lancers while Chad Hoffdahl and Andrew Ruiz each chipped in two.

Oakdale landed three three-point baskets from Austin Archuletta (12 points), including one that brought Oakdale within five points with three minutes to play. East Union responded with long possessions to run down the clock and Gleockler’s shot-clock beater.

“Players make plays in big games and with the shot clock going down, that was a good shot for Robbie,” Lewis said. “We are working on trying to create some stuff for ourselves.”

Lewis said his team is still finding ways to win without injured standout Justin Nieto. The Lancers were toppled by Sierra and made it a two-game slide when Lathrop landed a 74-56 upset on Jan. 8. The win over Oakdale gives East Union momentum before a meeting with a Weston Ranch team (10-5, 4-0) that eased past Lathrop 71-29 on Thursday. The two teams face on Tuesday to continue VOL action.